MLS
MLS Cup conference finals take shape: Playoff fixtures and schedule
The postseason returned on Saturday with hard-fought conference semi-finals in both the East and the West.
There was more drama on Saturday as the first two MLS Cup conference semi-finals were concluded. The New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders advance to the conference finals, to be joined by the winners of Sunday’s games.
The first to book their place were the Red Bulls, who came out on top in the first-ever postseason Hudson River Derby. Two first half goals from Felipe Caballo and Dante Vanzeir handed NYRB the victory over local rivals New York City FC.
They were joined by the Sounders, who dumped out the Western Conference’s top seed, Los Angeles FC, thanks to Jordan Morris’s extra-time winner at BMO Stadium.
The remaining two conference semi-finals will be played on Sunday. Atlanta United travel to Orlando City for the second spot from the East and LA Galaxy host Minnesota United in the Western Conference semi-final.
MLS Cup playoffs schedule
After a controversial two-week hiatus for the November international break the MLS action returns this weekend with the stakes ratcheted up. After the more convoluted best-of-three series in Round One, all games from now on are single-legged straight elimination matches. Each must be decided on the night.
All four conference semi-finals - two from the East, two from the West - are being played across this weekend. The Conference finals will be played next week, across Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.
The winner of each conference will progress to MLS Cup on Saturday, December 7. The location for that game has not yet been decided; the team with the higher regular season seeding will be given home advantage.
This year’s competition is wide open after a number of major shocks in Round One. The biggest surprise was the early exit of Inter Miami, losing out to an Atlanta United side playing under interim head coach Rob Valentino. The 2023 Supporters' Shield winners FC Cincinnati and reigning champions Columbus Crew also fell at the first hurdle, leaving the field open for challengers.
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